Tetradecyl Thioacetic Acid

Last Updated: September 28 2022

Technically an Omega-3 fatty acid, TTA is a non-metabolizable fatty acid that cannot be used for energy and may be able to burn fat via mechanisms similar to Conjugated Linoleic Acid. Lacking studies in humans at the moment, TTA appears to be a promising future candidate for fat loss and health.

Tetradecyl Thioacetic Acid is most often used for

Summary

Tetradecyl Thioacetic Acid, otherwise known as TTA, is what is known as a PPAR-alpha activator. It is actually an omega-3 fatty acid, but has a sulfur group at the omega-3 position; because of this addition it cannot be burnt for energy and thus has no relevant caloric value to humans.

PPARa activation can be seen as protecting the body from excess fats (similar to PPARy activation). PPARa tends to clear fats from the blood into muscle or liver cells, and encourage them to be burnt for energy in these locations (by comparison, PPARy makes new fat cells for fats to reside in which minimizes their potential toxicity).

The clearing of fat from the blood causes a drop in lipoproteins and a lowering of LDL cholesterol, and the burning of fats causes either fat burning or reduced fat gain. TTA can also decrease blood pressure and exert an anti-oxidant effect, the four mechanisms making it a cardioprotective compound.

It is commonly used with the appetite suppressant oleoylethanolamide as a fat-burning combination.

What else is Tetradecyl Thioacetic Acid known as?
Note that Tetradecyl Thioacetic Acid is also known as:
  • TTA
Dosage information

Not much evidence currently exists in human, but the standard dose appears to be 1g of TTA daily taken in divided dosages with meals.

Supplements Demystified: Get Our Unbiased, Evidence-Based Guide

Examine Database: Tetradecyl Thioacetic Acid
What works and what doesn't?

Unlock the full potential of Examine

Get started

Don't miss out on the latest research

References
1.^Løvås K, Røst TH, Skorve J, Ulvik RJ, Gudbrandsen OA, Bohov P, Wensaas AJ, Rustan AC, Berge RK, Husebye ESTetradecylthioacetic acid attenuates dyslipidaemia in male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, possibly by dual PPAR-alpha/delta activation and increased mitochondrial fatty acid oxidationDiabetes Obes Metab.(2009 Apr)
2.^Røst TH, Haugan Moi LL, Berge K, Staels B, Mellgren G, Berge RKA pan-PPAR ligand induces hepatic fatty acid oxidation in PPARalpha-/- mice possibly through PGC-1 mediated PPARdelta coactivationBiochim Biophys Acta.(2009 Nov)
3.^Morken T, Bohov P, Skorve J, Ulvik R, Aukrust P, Berge RK, Livden JKAnti-inflammatory and hypolipidemic effects of the modified fatty acid tetradecylthioacetic acid in psoriasis--a pilot studyScand J Clin Lab Invest.(2011 Jul)
4.^Pettersen RJ, Salem M, Skorve J, Ulvik RJ, Berge RK, Nordrehaug JEPharmacology and safety of tetradecylthioacetic acid (TTA): phase-1 studyJ Cardiovasc Pharmacol.(2008 Apr)
5.^Gedde-Dahl A, Ranheim T, Drevon CA, Skrede S, Berge RK, Rustan ACTetradecylthioacetic acid (a 3-thia fatty acid) decreases triacylglycerol secretion in CaCo-2 cellsJ Lipid Res.(1995 Mar)
8.^Larsen LN, Granlund L, Holmeide AK, Skattebøl L, Nebb HI, Bremer JSulfur-substituted and alpha-methylated fatty acids as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor activatorsLipids.(2005 Jan)
10.^Strand E, Bjorndal B, Nygard O, Burri L, Berge C, Bohov P, Christensen BJ, Berge K, Wergedahl H, Viste A, Berge RKLong-term treatment with the pan-PPAR agonist tetradecylthioacetic acid or fish oil is associated with increased cardiac content of n-3 fatty acids in ratLipids Health Dis.(2012 Jun 27)
12.^de Winther MP, van Dijk KW, Havekes LM, Hofker MHMacrophage scavenger receptor class A: A multifunctional receptor in atherosclerosisArterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol.(2000 Feb)
13.^Fredriksen J, Ueland T, Dyrøy E, Halvorsen B, Melby K, Melbye L, Skalhegg BS, Bohov P, Skorve J, Berge RK, Aukrust P, Frøland SSLipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory effects of tetradecylthioacetic acid in HIV-infected patients on highly active antiretroviral therapyEur J Clin Invest.(2004 Oct)
15.^Wergedahl H, Berge K, Bohov P, Tronstad KJ, Madsen L, Berge RKLong term treatment with tetradecylthioacetic acid improves the antioxidant status in obese Zucker (fa/fa) ratsDrug Metab Lett.(2008 Apr)
16.^Khalid AM, Hafstad AD, Larsen TS, Severson DL, Boardman N, Hagve M, Berge RK, Aasum ECardioprotective effect of the PPAR ligand tetradecylthioacetic acid in type 2 diabetic miceAm J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol.(2011 Jun)
17.^Hafstad AD, Khalid AM, Hagve M, Lund T, Larsen TS, Severson DL, Clarke K, Berge RK, Aasum ECardiac peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha activation causes increased fatty acid oxidation, reducing efficiency and post-ischaemic functional lossCardiovasc Res.(2009 Aug 1)
18.^Madsen L, Guerre-Millo M, Flindt EN, Berge K, Tronstad KJ, Bergene E, Sebokova E, Rustan AC, Jensen J, Mandrup S, Kristiansen K, Klimes I, Staels B, Berge RKTetradecylthioacetic acid prevents high fat diet induced adiposity and insulin resistanceJ Lipid Res.(2002 May)
19.^Rao MS, Reddy JKPeroxisomal beta-oxidation and steatohepatitisSemin Liver Dis.(2001)
20.^Wensaas AJ, Rustan AC, Rokling-Andersen MH, Caesar R, Jensen J, Kaalhus O, Graff BA, Gudbrandsen OA, Berge RK, Drevon CADietary supplementation of tetradecylthioacetic acid increases feed intake but reduces body weight gain and adipose depot sizes in rats fed on high-fat dietsDiabetes Obes Metab.(2009 Nov)
22.^Berge RK, Skorve J, Tronstad KJ, Berge K, Gudbrandsen OA, Grav HMetabolic effects of thia fatty acidsCurr Opin Lipidol.(2002 Jun)
24.^Gudbrandsen OA, Hultstrøm M, Leh S, Monica Bivol L, Vågnes Ø, Berge RK, Iversen BMPrevention of hypertension and organ damage in 2-kidney, 1-clip rats by tetradecylthioacetic acidHypertension.(2006 Sep)
27.^Ogilvie AL, Lüftl M, Antoni C, Schuler G, Kalden JR, Lorenz HMLeukocyte infiltration and mRNA expression of IL-20, IL-8 and TNF-R P60 in psoriatic skin is driven by TNF-alphaInt J Immunopathol Pharmacol.(2006 Apr-Jun)
28.^Mason A, Mason J, Cork M, Hancock H, Dooley GTopical treatments for chronic plaque psoriasis: an abridged Cochrane systematic reviewJ Am Acad Dermatol.(2013 Nov)